Monday, November 9, 2015
Volume LIX, Issue 10
sbstatesman.com
Faculty mentor 17 Siemens Competition f inalists
By Eric Schmid Contributing Writer
phase through this?’ It was a time full of non-stop panic and confusion. I couldn’t calm down because nothing in my life or lack thereof made any sense to me.” With a little help, Albin was able to overcome this obstacle. She discovered that she was lacking an identity; she had an emptiness. But Albin channeled that nothingness to overcome her anxiety.
Seventeen of the 97 regional finalists in the annual Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology were mentored by faculty at Stony Brook University, according to a university news release. The competition is touted as the premier research competition for high school students in the nation, according to the Siemens Foundation. High school students prepare and submit original research, either individually or in teams, in the fields of math, science and technology, and compete for scholarship awards topping out at $100,000. Of the 17 finalists who had Stony Brook mentors, 11 of them participated in the Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces Program research program, which is directed by Miriam Rafailovich, Ph.D. But Rafailovich said that although it is nice to hear about students succeeding,“Science is not a competition.” Rafailovich, who has mentored regional finalists for a decade, is not focused on competitions and awards. Instead, Rafailovich mentors high school students every year because “it’s
Continued on page 5
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MICHAELA KILGALLEN / THE STATESMAN
Clockwise from top left: Jacqui Albin, Nicholas Valente, Jennifer Adams and Elizabeth McCourt take the stage at TEDxSBU to discuss ideas focusing on the event's theme "The Master Pieces" on Friday, Nov. 6 at the Wang Center Theater.
Students, faculty, alumni spread ideas through TEDxSBU By Michaela Kilgallen Assistant News Editor
“I want you all to picture yourselves,” senior psychology student Jacqui Albin said to a full audience at the Wang Center Theater on Friday. “I want you to picture your face, your body. How would people describe you? You exist, right? Now what if that all just vanished? What if suddenly you ceased to be? You became a ghost? You just disappear, can’t per-
ceive yourself anymore and you don’t even have a name? This is what I lived with for over a year.” During her freshman year at Stony Brook, Albin believed that she no longer existed. She would simply respond with “I’m not here” whenever someone acknowledged her presence. Along with 15 other Stony Brook students, faculty, staff and alumni, Albin spoke at the third annual independently organized TEDxS-
BU event hosted by Stony Brook. TED is a non-profit organization that presents talks in an effort to spread ideas. Albin told the story of her life with schizoaffective disorder. Albin described it as a combination between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. “Sometimes I would try to walk through a wall,” she said. “I would awkwardly bump into the concrete kind of wondering ‘Why can’t I
Stony Brook honors those who served with 2015 Veterans Day ceremony By Rebecca Liebson Contributing Writer
In anticipation of Veterans Day next week, the Stony Brook Office of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Veteran Student Organization, held its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday. The event, which took place in the Sidney Gelber Auditorium, honored more than 200 student veterans at Stony Brook as well as those living in the surrounding communities. The ceremony started with live music from the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band, followed by the presentation of colors, a performance of the national anthem and an invocation by Rabbi Ori Bergman from the university’s Interfaith Center. Various public officials, including New York State Sen. Tom Croci, state Assemblyman Steve Englebright— the representative for Stony Brook
and the surrounding villages—and State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick came out to give their thanks to local veterans. Matthew Luce, president of the Veteran Student Organization, took the stage to speak about his time serving in Afghanistan. “Going in, I thought I would see the world, shoot some guns and come out with some great stories,” Luce said. “What I didn’t realize was that the part of the world I would see was war-torn and desperate, that shooting guns was a serious matter, that I’d accumulate many stories, but there would be stories I’d find hard to share.” The keynote speaker for the ceremony was retired major general and Bronze Star medal recipient Evo Riguzzi. Riguzzi started off his speech by giving a salute to all the World War II veterans in the audience. “If it weren’t for these men, I don’t think I would have ended up where I
am today,” he said. Riguzzi then went on to discuss his experiences both in the military and as a civilian. “What most people don’t realize is that in war, these men aren’t fighting for the Constitution so much as they’re fighting for the men to their left and right,” he said. The ROTC closed the ceremony by retiring the colors, and guests were invited to a reception afterwards. “This school really looks out for members of the military,” said student-veteran Brian Schaeffer, who is enrolled in the nursing program at Stony Brook. “They make sure we have the things we need to succeed. It was really nice to see them do something to show their appreciation for us.” “I was very impressed with what went on here today,” Walter Hazlitt, a World War II veteran who heard about the event through his local
ERIC SCHMID / THE STATESMAN
Retired Maj. Gen. Evo Riguzzi, above, addresses his audience as the keynote speaker for the ceremony on Nov. 4. American Legion, said. “I’ve seen too many vets go neglected and not receive the proper care and respect they deserve, so it’s nice to see that there are people who care.” “I think it was a huge success,”
Marilyn Richardson of the Office of Veterans Affairs, who helped to organize the event, said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the ceremony grow even more in years to come as [the Office of Veterans Affairs] progresses.”
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Garcia program mentors future researchers
Police Blotter
Continued from page 1
On Monday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m., a University Hospital employee reported that his jacket, which contained his keys, was stolen from a break room. The case remains open. On Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8:55 a.m., a bike was allegedly stolen from Schick College. The case remains open. On Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 10:01 a.m., a bike was allegedly stolen from the bike rack at Earth and Space Sciences. The case remains open. On Thursday, Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m., a longboard-style skateboard was allegedly stolen from the Wang Center. The case remains open. On Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., a resident assistant reported that an exit sign had been knocked down at Hamilton College. The case remains open. On Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1:03 a.m., an altercation allegedly occurred among three women in Wagner College. The case is now closed. Compiled by Brittany Bernstein
WENLAN YU / THE STATESMAN
Cole Lee, above, announced a plan for the Melville Library to operate 24 hours a day, as a part of his party platform from the 2015 USG election during the spring semester.
Campus Briefing: USG president announces plans for 24-hour Melville Library operation By Chereen James Contributing Writer
Undergraduate Student Government President Cole Lee announced the beginning of plans for the 24-hour operation of the Melville Library at the USG Senate meeting on Thursday evening. The 24-hour operation of the library was part of the platform of the House Party’s 2015 USG election campaign, and with the approval of Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., Dean of Libraries Constantia Constantinou and a group of students are now making preparations for its implementation. “The 24-hour library is going to significantly enhance the student learning experience,” Lee said. “This offers students spaces for comfort, collaboration and a place that’s con-
sistently available for students to work in.” Lee added that the changes will not bring an increase to student fees since the university administration recognizes the overwhelming positive feedback from the student body. “This just shows the tangible change that we all have been talking about, that USG can deliver to the student body,” Lee said. New staff positions will be recruited next week, and Constantinou anticipates that the operation will begin at the start of the Spring 2016 semester. The Senate also unanimously voted to recognize Active Minds, a club that promotes education and advocacy towards mental health. “Our goal is to help destigmatize mental health on campus,” Emilia Leon, an executive board member
for the club, said. “That way students don’t feel like it’s a bad thing to receive counseling for mental health services.” The senate also approved the line budget status for the SBU Bhangra team. The team teaches the Indian dance Bhangra, which originates in the Punjab region. “Our mission is to teach and perform Bhangra, to perform at local shows in addition to travelling to different states to perform at competitions,” Sumeet Bhinder, the event coordinator and former president, said. A line budget is necessary to get outfits for the competitions, since points are taken off if there is no uniformity, Bhinder said. In addition to its performances, SBU Bhangra put together its first Indian fashion show on campus in the fall of 2014.
Under the Microscope: Researchers receive $1 million DOE grant to help improve engine technology
By Brianna O’Neill Contributing Writer
When someone purchases a new car, one of the most prominent characteristics that is factored into which type and brand of car to buy is fuel efficiency. Concerns about power in vehicles are rising, which highlights some of the mindsets of major funding organizations for science, such as the Department of Energy. Researchers at Stony Brook, including professors Ben Lawler and Sotirios Mamalis from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, have received a $1 million grant to study Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition, which is an alternative type of combustion technology for engines. This type of combustion is limited due to its requirement for two types of fuel, gas and diesel. The research at Stony Brook will focus on modifying this process to rely on only one type of fuel—gas, diesel, or natural gas.
This type of ignition would be a process in which fuel, whichever type it may be, is reformed before going through the engine. Reformation changes the chemical composition of the fuel, so while it started as gas or diesel, what comes out after will no longer be chemically the same. The researchers will be testing which type of fuel performs the most successfully for vehicles. “There are a number of advanced combustion modes and they have the potential to have higher efficiency and lower emissions,” Lawler said. “So it could be a win-win. And they are essentially trying to take the advantages of the two combustion modes and merge the positive aspects of each one.” This research is a collaborative effort between the researchers studying the reforming process at City College of New York and the researchers at Stony Brook, where Lawler will be collaborating with Mamalis. Lawler will be studying the en-
TATIANA GUERRA / THE STATESMAN
From left, Sotirios Mamalis and Benjamin Lawler will conduct research on utilizing onboard fuel reformation. gines, the temperature and pressure that occur with the different types of fuels. Mamalis’ background is in computational modeling. Therefore, Lawler’s work will provide the experimental detail for the computer models that Mamalis develops. This enables the expansion of information that can be extracted from ex-
perimental work alone. “Our role is further out, longer term, higher risk projects,” Lawler said. “And I think that’s exciting, I think we’re working on the projects that nobody else can solve. If we solve them, that’s when [vehicle manufacturing companies] would pick them up and take interest in it.”
a lot of fun to work with high school students.” “They’re fearless,” Rafailovich said, and are really eager to jump into research. Whether or not the experiment works does not matter to a high school student, Rafailovich said. They are more concerned with the experience and having fun, she said. Adriana Pinkas-Sarafova, Ph.D., agreed with Rafailovich, but also said the Siemens Competition is valuable because it shows an appreciation for the students who participate. This past year was Pinkas-Sarafova’s first year mentoring high school students with the Garcia program. She said the Siemens Competition is a big motivation, but she is more concerned with challenging her students. The journey is more exciting than the end result, Pinkas-Sarafova said. More than anything, however, Pinkas-Sarafova stressed the importance of group work. “I think it’s important to teach them to work in groups because science has reached a level where every study is much more complicated than before and requires interdisciplinary action,” she said. Especially for the students who see a career in science, “teaching them to collaborate is important for their future,” she said. Rafailovich does not use the competition as a measure of success for her mentees, saying the winners are “really random.” Instead, every year with the Garcia program, Rafailovich focuses on cultivating a love and appreciation for science. “The majority of our students go into some kind of businessrelated application,” she said. “We’re really proud that the people who end up being decision makers in companies grew up with an appreciation for research.” For the students who may not enter into a STEM major for college, or into a scientitic career, Pinkas-Sarafova said, there is “no doubt at some moment they will be in connection with science” in the future. Like Rafailovich, Pinkas-Sarafova stressed the importance of understanding science. Both professors said that the goal is to add or give some advancement to the scientific community. In the coming weeks, regional finalists will present their research to panels across the six distinct regions in the United States. From there, national finalists will be selected to present their work at George Washington University in December. However, Rafailovich said that the winners of the Siemens Competition overall do not really matter because “the competition is with yourself.”
The Statesman
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Monday, November 9, 2015
5
Stony Brook professor presents concept of 'virtual distance' at TEDxSBU Continued from page 1 To fit into this year’s theme, “The Master Pieces,” many of the other speakers also centered their talks on obstacles that they have faced as well as problems that the entire world encounters. “I want everybody who comes to Stony Brook, everyone who works at Stony Brook, all the students to just feel inspired,” said Jennifer Adams, the licensee and chair for TEDxSBU as well as an educational technologist in the Division of Information Technology. “There’s a lot of really cool things that happen at Stony Brook University, and I think we sort of get isolated and lose touch with that sometimes.”
Karen Sobel-Lojeski, an associate professor in the Department of Technology and Society, introduced the audience to the idea of virtual distance, which she described as, “what we lose when the human being is transferred through the machine.” She labeled what she calls the “threshold generation”: the generation that understands life before and after the modern influx of technology. She also said this generation will be the last to understand the difference between real and virtual things. Sobel-Lojeski told the story of a friend who, after buying an iPad for his 3-year-old daughter, caught her pinching the surface of a sliding glass door in an attempt to zoom in on the spider that was stuck to the oth-
er side–just like she had been accustomed to doing on a touchscreen. The audience let out a collective gasp when Sobel-Lojeski made the pinching motion with her fingers illustrating the story. Some students were surprised by the presenters, including Sobel-Lojeski, and the messages they relayed. “My favorite speaker was Debra Alfarone,”aid Suson Maharjan, a junior biology student. “She was talking about the labels we put on ourselves as well as the labels put on by other people put on us really make a difference as who we are and who we become.” Freshman nursing student Jordan Villar also found Alfarone’s discussion on individual labels, such as career of interests, to be inspiring. “You make the label and identify as
MICHAELA KILGALLEN / THE STATESMAN
Stephen Post, professor of preventive medicine, discusses Norman Rockwell's 1961 illustration "The Golden Rule." that,” Villar said. “I’m used to it being the other way around, so her way
of thinking was revolutionary in way for me.”
Fundraising campaign to create scholarships will launch this month
By Jessica Chin Contributing Writer
The public phase of a fundraising campaign by Stony Brook University that aims to create up to $200 million in scholarships for qualifying students will launch this month. “Although the campaign officially launched in 2011, the public phase is set to begin Nov. 21 of this year, along with the launch of a campaign website,” Dexter Bailey, the head of the campaign, said in an email. Bailey, the senior vice president of University Advancement, added that the campaign is co-managed by the Stony Brook Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation established in 1965, and University Advancement. The campaign aims to garner more student involvement and further faculty research, according to the minutes from the Oct. 5 University Senate meeting.
To help students get more involved in the process, Bailey has created a council of 12 student advisors for the Office of the President. These 12 students were selected from 86 nominations provided by the faculty, according to the minutes. “With a target goal of $600 million, $400 million has already been raised” over the last five years, Bailey said in the email. The largest contributions come from foundations, followed by friends of the university and corporations, according to the 20132014 annual report to donors, the most recent report. Smaller contributions come from alumni and research partners. Most of the money raised can already be seen in programs and scholarships at Stony Brook. For example, the Jewish Foundation for the Education of Women supports the SUNY International Relations and Global Affairs Program, which gives internships
PHOTO CREDIT: STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
Dexter Bailey, above, will lead the new fundraising campaign that aims to create up to $200 million in student scholarships. with global organizations such as the Clinton Foundation, the U.S. State Department and the United Nations University to ten qualifying Stony Brook female students with junior standing. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has given a $100,000 scholarship for the seventh year in
a row to college graduates without a nursing degree enrolled in Stony Brook’s School of Nursing. The Jim and Robin Herrnstein Foundation has provided money for third-year Stony Brook dental students to provide dental care in impoverished villages in Madagascar. Anonymous donors gave the
College of Arts and Sciences $2.5 million in the 2013-2014 fiscal year, and high-achieving Riverhead High School graduates are given scholarships to attend Stony Brook thanks to an anonymous donation of $1.4 million to establish the scholarship fund, according to the report. Money has also gone toward funding faculty research in psychiatry, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), according to the report. Details of scholarships by academic major will be featured on the campaign website when it launches on November 21 of this year and can be accessed at: www. stonybrook.edu/campaign. A full list of donors can be found on the Stony Brook University Alumni Association website. The 20132014 annual report to donors can be found on the Stony Brook Foundation website, along with links to previous reports.
SUNY diversity policy expected to increase student retention and completion By Brittany Tesoriero Contributing Writer
A new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy announced by SUNY this semester is expected to increase the number of SUNY students recruited and retained over the next several years by allowing faculty to view retention and completion patterns and consider areas where improved support may be needed. “With this new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy, we are once again sending a strong message that the Empire State is a national leader and a beacon of inclusion for all students,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a news release. The new policy will include the creation of a new data collection tool that will give students who register at a SUNY campus the ability to self-identify their gender, sexual orientation and any other additional status.Diversity in the policy encompasses a wide range of categories from ethnicity to international and transfer students, allowing a greater number of students to benefit from new support services offered by the policy.
One such service is a chief diversity officer for every SUNY campus, who will work with all campus offices to ensure inclusiveness and execution of diversity practices. Bonita London, a member of the SUNY Diversity Task Force and associate professor of social and health psychology at Stony Brook, has worked with other SUNY faculty and staff in Albany to help come up with recommendations for the SUNY system to adopt to foster diversity and inclusion. London developed the social-cognitive “Sensitivity to Gender-Based Rejection” model for women, which studied how factors can lead to or deter success in traditionally stigmatized groups. Though she is not directly involved with how Stony Brook will implement the new SUNY diversity policy, she believes each campus will take a unique approach. “Because the SUNY campuses are each pretty distinct and are at different stages in how they approach diversity issues, the approach that each campus takes to address the recommendations may differ,” London said in an email.
The policy introduces customized cultural competency training for faculty members, research that will evaluate the policy for effectiveness and annual reporting on the policy’s progress. The most progressive of these parameters is perhaps the approval of a new data collection tool that will allow each student to voluntarily self-identify their sexual orientation and gender identity during the r egistration process. Students will be able to choose one of seven options for sexual orientation: straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, questioning and unsure. For gender identity, options include man, woman, trans man, trans woman, genderqueer/gender-fluid, questioning and unsure. “College is a place for exploration,” said Sydney Gaglio, a sophomore theatre arts major and the president of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance, in an email. “You can explore the world and different places of knowledge. But it’s also a place where you explore and get to know yourself more. Being in a place where it’s okay for you to do that is extremely important. So
KRYSTEN MASSA / THE STATESMAN
A new data collection tool will give SUNY students the ability to self-identify their gender and sexual orientation. if a policy is enacted that allows a person to navigate the world while being their full selves, life gets a little easier.” The availability of these options in the SUNY system will be able to clarify some misconceptions of the LGBTQ* communities as a whole, said Chris Tanaka, the coordinator of LGBTQ* Services, whose job is focused on education, outreach and advocacy for the LGBTQ* community. “I think probably the most common misconception is that there is a singular set of needs
for this entire community,” Tanaka said. SUNY was awarded the 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the fourth consecutive year the SUNY system administration has received this award. “We appreciate this recognition and at the same time, recognize that we have more work to do,” Alexander N. Cartwright, SUNY provost and executive vice chancellor, said in a news release.
Arts & Entertainment
Union ceramic studio will close its doors to crafters after the fall semester
By Michaela Kilgallen Assistant News Editor
For Joanne Coppola, the Craft Center’s ceramic studio in the Union basement has been almost like a second home. “It’s just a wonderful place the hours are fantastic because we all have lives and we come here to destress,” the Medford resident and ceramic studio member said. “A lot of times we just sit here. We’re not talking to each other; we’re just here.” But after Nov. 19, the studio will no longer be able to keep its doors open to the 100 students, faculty and community members, including Coppola, who come there to relax and meet with friends. Due to upcoming renovations on the 46-year-old building, clubs and organizations stationed in the Union will either be removed or relocated sometime this year, and the university was not able to find a space to host a new studio. Emily Brownawell, studio manager and senior studio art/psychology student, dates the opening of the studio back nearly 40 years. “A lot of people have been using this space for several years,” she said. “Out of all the ceramics studios on Long Island, this is the most affordable, and it has the best hours. It’s very accessible for people.” A petition circulated during Spring 2015, aimed at keeping the
ceramic studio and the student art gallery in the SAC operational. The Statesman reported that as of early May, the petition had 1,200 signatures, 200 over its goal. Brownawell said the petition helped to save the gallery, and the Craft Center will remain active holding craft nights and classes. But the petition made no progress in relocating the studio. “The petition allowed me to speak to one of our deans, Dean [Timothy] Ecklund, who really doesn’t have any control over the situation.” she said. “Those conversations were a little more productive about what we might do to get a new student gallery space but less productive about getting a new ceramic studio.” The ceramic studio offers weekly pottery classes, as well as open hours for its members to work on independent projects. Brownawell said that there is still hope that the studio will be relocated, but that it is highly unlikely. “We found out towards the end of spring semester that the building was coming under construction and we would be needing to move out,” she said. “As of right now we don’t have a space, and it’s unlikely that we’ll get a space. That may change, but probably not.” The materials and equipment in the studio, which include wheels and kilns, will most likely go into storage or be dispersed throughout the SUNY system, Brownawell said.
WENLAN YU/ THE STATESMAN
On Wednesday, Nov. 18 in the SAC Lobby the Craft Center will present The Final Pottery Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. before the center closes its doors to it's crafters. She says the studio has been in talks with Gallery North in Setauket about donating the equipment, but since it is all state property, that might not be possible. “We have some info about what other studios exist,” Brownawell said. “There have been a couple conversations with Gallery North. They really want a pottery studio there, but we don’t know if we would be able to donate our materials because it’s all state property. We’re still hoping they change their mind and keep the space
open in a new building.” Many members are actively searching for new studios, but the results have been disappointing. “I don’t think there’s anything similar to this,” said Nancy Marshall, a professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. “What we need is something on campus, not off-campus. That’s what the university is about; you want to bring people to the university so it can blossom.” Many members have found
the closing difficult and are taking advantage of their time left in the studio. Coppola drives 30 minutes nearly every day of the week to work on her vases and sugar bowls. “It’s the arts,” she said. “We’re not sports—and I am a sports fanatic—but we don’t generate a whole lot of revenue for the school. It’s an outlet other than studying and drinking. This is something else to do. It’s just a shame that somebody doesn’t think it’s important.”
“The Symbionts of Murkor” shows promise but falls flat
By Ryan Williams Contributing Writer
Following the release of his first novel, “Orb,” in 2011, local author Gary Tarulli has returned to the science-fiction genre with “The Symbionts of Murkor,” a story of humanity’s resiliency in the face of hardship. The book chronicles the struggles and conflict between two rival mining stations on the equally hellish and mysterious planet of Murkor. As each group faces depleting resources and internal strife, the opposing sides are forced to come together for their benefit, and the benefit of all mankind. Meanwhile, Murkor harbors secrets that could challenge the basic concepts of life itself. With his extensive technological descriptions and histories, Tarulli’s ability to construct an interesting universe is evident. While some may find his long-winded elaborations tedious and unnecessary, they serve an important purpose in world building.
Tarulli also extends his scientific and technological expertise to history, providing detailed backstories for both his characters and humanity in general. Tarulli gives his world depth and character, which are absolutely vital in the field of science-fiction. Despite some of the more outlandish inventions and events, Tarulli’s universe is grounded in a sense of reality that is relatable in the same vein of franchises like “Star Trek” or “Alien.” His universe is ripe for further exploration. Unfortunately, the novel’s narrative is not nearly as interesting as the world it is set in. Jumping back and forth between each mining base, Tarulli builds tension at a snail’s pace, examining central mysteries and issues that are not compelling enough to carry a story. Conflicts between characters are flimsy and half-hearted, rarely amounting to anything substantial. While the book does pick up speed after the first 200 pages, it fails to have an exciting or even satisfying climax. Nothing
valuable is lost or gained, and the reader is left with a few lingering questions that don’t need to be answered. Many of Tarulli’s characters suffer a fate similar to that of the main story. While a few select characters are able to achieve a unique sense of identity, most remain lifeless and dull throughout the story. Rather than honing in on the few compelling characters, Tarulli gives voice to a wide range of characters. While this may have been done to foster his theme of universality, it adds needless complexity to the narrative. Much of Tarulli’s dialogue is unnecessarily complex and stilted. Even though many of the characters have scientific backgrounds and the work itself relies heavily on science. Tarulli is unable to relate scientific vernacular with normal speech patterns and word choice. Because of this, many of the characters and their interactions feel unnatural and forced.
One particularly cliché romance is completely unneeded and irritating. Throughout the novel, characters break out into halfbaked philosophical discussions and soliloquies. While philosophy plays an important role in literature, especially science-fiction, Tarulli throws it haphazardly into mundane character interactions, hoping some of it will stick.
These instances are perhaps the most jarring and laughable of the entire story, completely ruining any semblance of immersion. It is so frustrating to see a world with such great potential be bogged down by so many issues. Besides its excellent world building, the book “The Symbionts of Murkor” has little to offer.
COURTESY OF GARY TARULLI
The author, Gary Tarulli lives on Long Island with his wife and has a degree in Literature from SUNY Oneonta. His first book is called "Orb."
The Statesman
Arts & Entertainment
Monday, November 9, 2015
7
Exploring BlaxploItalian in Italian cinema and culture
By Tom Cullen Contributing Writer
Fred Kuwornu, an Italian activist and director, screened and discussed his documentary “BlaxploItalian 100 Years of Blackness” in the Italian Cinema on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at Harriman Hall. Born, raised and schooled in Italy, Kuwornu, who is also Ghanaian, wanted to show the history and mistreatment of black actors in his home country from early silent films to modern times. His documentary is mostly in Italian. The documentary initiates a social campaign that “demands more diversity in the film industry in Europe,” Kuwornu said. Modern Italy Professor Mario Mignone arranged for the speaker and screening. He hoped it would show his students that there are different people in Italy, specifically people from Africa, and how these people have obstacles to overcome to be successful. “I know how long it took for the Italian Americans to become part of the mainstream in America,” Mignone said. “But now I’m interested to see immigrants who go into Italy. How long that it’ll be taking to become part of the mainstream.” The documentary demonstrates that few black actors are cast in Italian films and that when they are, they are relegated to degrading roles. Black actors are almost exclusively
cast in low-level roles relating to social problems. Women are expected to play mistresses, prostitutes and cleaning ladies, while men play terrorists, squeegee men and domestic servants. They rarely get a chance to play more prestigious roles, like doctors, lawyers, nuns, love interests or police commissioners, regardless of how well they fit the part. “Until the maybe last 5 years I never seen in my country a representation that was very strong about people of color,” Kuwornu said. Films tend to display only African qualities with no mention of their Italian background. Whether they were born in Italy or not, they are treated as outsiders. People are denied jobs based on their skin color and for not fitting the Italian profile. Some actors have a difficult time getting cast because they were not black enough and others because they were too black. Black actors are not even allowed to promote products, as they are not cast in commercials. “Every time society changes also the media has to make a change to be flexible,” Kuwornu said. Most of the audience members were students of HUI 239: Modern Italy. “I think it was very instructive of the students. Mind-opening certainly,” Mignone said. Nicholas Walsh, a senior double
COURTESY OF MARIO MIGNONE
The documentary "BlaxploItalian 100 Years of Blackness" filled Harriman Hall with mostly HUI 239: Modern Italy students. This initiated a talk on diversity in italian film. majoring in biomedical engineering and applied mathematics and statistics, is taking the course not only to fulfill a DEC, but also because he speaks Italian and Italian culture interests him. “I thought I was going to have some sort of experience learning how African Italians have improved or struggled to make a place in cinema and pop culture in Italy,” Walsh said. “Every thing he opened with and said I thought was covered pretty comprehensively,” Nicholas said. The depiction of blacks in Italian cinema mirrors the under-representation of Latino Americans
in American films. Like Afro-Italians, Latinos are only seldom cast and when they are, they often play undignified parts. “In some cases the situation that we try to tell about Italy is a situation that we find in other countries, not only in Italy,” Kuwornu said. “Maybe it’s not for the African descent, but for other ethnic minorities.” “We have the same issues over here when we talk about diversity,” Mignone said. “It’s not just American, it’s not just Italian. It’s not just English or French. It has to go with the idea of otherness. We are always a little bit afraid of the other, something that is not like us.”
So how we overcome that fear is the issue. The issue of otherness is not unique.” Still, Kuwornu’s documentary presented hope that the new generation with help bring about change in culture. The youth is very internationally oriented, so they will hopefully see the diversity of the world and adjust their standards to match. The documentary presented a day of italian culture, enlightenment and diversity. The Center for Italian Studies will be looking at Italy in a global perspective with a “The idea of the Mediterranean,” on Nov. 12.
cause he really liked the structure of the painting. Sydney Gaglio, a sophomore theatre arts major, also made her way through the gallery slowly, examining every piece. She said she comes to all of the exhibits at the Zuccaire Gallery. For her, the incorporation of different social movements into Manalo’s artwork was a hit. “I think it’s really cool to work social movements into art, because it’s about making a change,” Gaglio said. “I think art is specifically supposed to be about making a change and for a
cause. Working things into art is moving. People see it and they get inspired by it.” “It’s a real pleasure to have Isabel’s work here in the gallery,” Levitov said. She talked about how she has known Manalo for years and has watched her grow as an artist. Levitov had the idea to bring Manalo to the gallery to do an installation since she began working at the gallery about a year and a half ago. While Manalo was on campus installing the exhibit she took time out to talk to a lot of students. She spoke to several undergraduate classes and
visited the graduate student studios. “It’s a real opportunity for the students,” Levitov said, “We’re really pleased with how generous and wonderful she has been.” Manalo is just as pleased to have her art displayed at Stony Brook in the Zuccaire Gallery. “It’s an amazing space,” she said. “I’m really excited to be here. This university community seems amazing with great people and very interdisciplinary thinking. It’s been a lot of fun.” Manalo will return to Stony Brook for an artist talk on November 18.
Artist Isabel Manalo marries art with social movement By Krysten Massa Multimedia Editor
During a walk-through of the Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery, one will find hanging canvases with neutral, earthy colors sprinkled with pre-colonial Filipino script. The script expresses a cultural part of who the artist is. These canvases are part of the Gallery’s most recent exhibition, “Skin Codes.” Isabel Manalo is a Filipino-American artist who recently returned to the U.S after living in Berlin for three years. It was in Berlin that she began this body of work; she wanted to create something non-western and seek out a tradition that is connected to her. Two of her most significant influences right now are the pre-colonial Filipino script, called Baybayin, and the ancient art of Filipino tattooing. The name “Skin Codes” is appropriate because Manalo said as she began to work with the ancient tattooing symbols and with different kinds of canvases, it felt to her like she was tattooing different skin. In many of the pieces, there are English words mixed in with the Filipino codes. A large canvas hanging over the gallery a number of names, including Sandra Bland and Eric Garner. One piece towards the front of the exhibit reads “climate change is real” to symbolize the oil drilling in Alaska. Another piece has the words #WithSyria because Manalo is concerned about the current refugee crisis in Europe. The one piece that Manalo said was one of the first for this body of work reads “#blacklivesmatter.”
“I always felt hesitant to include it in my work as a younger artist.” Manalo said, “Now that I’m older I feel like this is part of me and i’m not going to deny it anymore,” Talking about including social movements that are important to her. She said she has always been a political person, but knew that if she was going to incorporate that into her work, it needed to make sense and be more subversive. For this exhibit, she felt it was the right fit. The names and hashtags go along with her linguistics theme. She said the Black Lives Matter movement means a lot to her as an American. “If you have something to express as an artist and you can do it in a way that is visually impactful then you should do it,” she said. “You shouldn’t deny what’s moving your gut.” It was a busy opening night for the exhibition. Guests were buzzing in and out and the live violin music, performed by Manalo’s sister, set the tone for relaxed art viewing as well as intellectual conversations. Jon Millings, a junior biology major, walked around the room stopping at almost every piece. Millings attended the opening for a class he is taking, but said that he really enjoyed the art. He said he liked to look at the pieces and read along with the program because he found Manalo’s process of creating her pieces to be unique and interesting. He said his favorite was a piece called “Serotonin,” partially because he is a biology major and partially be-
KRYSTEN MASSA/ THE STATESMAN
Manalo focuses her artwork on the black lives matter movement, climate change centered in the oil drilling in Alaska and the refugee crisis in Syria. She uses the hashtag #WithSyria.
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The Statesman
Arts & Entertainment
Monday, November 9, 2015
Campus Spotlight: Elliot Baron unites rappers across Stony Brook
By Kunal Kohli Staff Writer
Rap music is important to many people. The genre is one of the most listened to and has countless blogs, magazines and websites dedicated to it. But for Elliot Baron, listening to rap and consuming the culture was not enough. Baron, a junior electrical engineering major, is one in Stony Brook’s growing population of rappers. While most rappers look to promote themselves, Baron seeks to provide a platform for other rappers to perfect their craft and learn from others. Thus, he founded the Stony Brook Rapper’s Union. “I wanted the opportunity to work with other people who shared my interests,” Baron said. “Possibly do some shows or collaborate with aspiring musicians. I checked the involvement fair and there was really nothing like that.” He gathered some friends who also had an interest in hip-hop, and so the Union was born. Baron’s interest in rap first began to blossom in his sophomore year of high school. He had a writing teacher who had taught him about poetry rapping at a weekend program sponsored by his high school and was inspired. Baron started listening to rap music and later performed on stage at a showcase.
Throughout the years, Baron’s influences have changed. While citing rappers such as Chance the Rapper and Brookfest 2014 headliner Childish Gambino as his current influences, he does admit that his influences have changed as the years have gone by. “My tastes and influences have changed,” Baron said. “There was a time where I really liked punchline rap, where I listened to Fabolous and rappers like that and tried to emulate that style. Then I listened to more lyrical rappers like Eminem and Slaughterhouse. As of now I listen to Childish Gambino and Schoolboy Q.” The Rapper’s Union is not only a home for rappers, but also producers and poets. “It’s really for anyone who’s interested in hip-hop at all,” Baron said. “Even if you don’t rap, I encourage you come out and just hang out with us. We really have fun, we just talk about hip-hop or freestyle and stuff like that.” Freestyle, slam poetry and production mixing are all commonplace within the Rapper’s Union. As Baron said, it is a place for hip-hop heads to get together and bond. While Baron is focused on getting his electrical engineering degree, he does plan on releasing an EP in the near future. Although the chances of getting into the studio are slim, he tries to make the most of his time
there. But splitting time between academics and his music career has been challenging for the upand-coming rapper. Although Baron has not released his debut, he and the Rap-
per’s Union have exciting things ahead of them. “To be honest, I have a lot of work on my plate,” Baron said. “I’ve been trying to put out music and have performances. I have
a friend who works at the Tabler studios every now and then. I haven’t really put out anything legitimate or solid yet, just simply because I can’t put as much focus on it as I would like to.”
COURTESY OF ELLIOT BARON
Stony Brook rapper Elliot Baron, above, originally from Brooklyn is inspired by Childish Gambino and Schoolboy Q. Baron is a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity.
Stony Brook University is going tobacco-free on January 1, 2016. View the policy, read our FAQ and find support at stonybrook.edu/tobaccofree
Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 15100600
Men’s Basketball seeks summit of America East Championship mountain 2011
Boston University 56, Stony Brook 54 After going just 7-23 three years earlier, the Seawolves made it to their first America East championship game, under head coach Steve Pikiell. Stony Brook led by 15 early in the second half, but lost after a pair of free throws by BU senior swingman John Holland with 2.4 seconds to go.
2012
Vermont 51, Stony Brook 43 The only one of the Seawolves’ America East championship losses that did not end with a late-game implosion. Stony Brook went just 17-for-58 (29.3 percent) from the field and 4-for-19 (21 percent) from beyond the arc in its second-straight America East Championship game loss.
2014
Albany 69, Stony Brook 60 Despite holding a six-point lead with 7:02 left in the final, the Seawolves collapsed. The Great Danes ended the game on a 17-6 run to hand Stony Brook its third America East Championship game loss in four seasons.
2015
Albany 51, Stony Brook 50 The Seawolves were 1.6 seconds away from finally going to the Big Dance, but Great Danes senior guard Peter Hooley had other plans. He hit a desperation three-pointer to eliminate Stony Brook for the third consecutive season.
2016 By David Vertsberger Assistant Sports Editor Stony Brook Men’s Basketball alumnus Eric McAlister thinks about the four America East tournament losses he lived through all the time. Fellow alumnus Ben Resner thinks the Seawolves have covered all the bases in terms of ways it can go wrong. With perhaps the most talented class of seniors facing one last chance at sending the Seawolves to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, head coach Steve Pikiell just wants his team to focus on the short-term. “Hopefully I can keep them focused on [the regular season] other than focused on the end of the year,” Pikiell
said. “There’s always urgency. I think we’ve been so close.” 2015 All-America East First Team members Jameel Warney and Carson Puriefoy had their chances whisked away by two final-second game-winners and one last-minute dagger, all to in-state rival Albany. The latest heartbreaker came last March when the Great Danes’ Peter Hooley hit a three off a tippedout ball to give Albany a one-point edge with 1.9 seconds to play. Despite never having won the championship game, many say there has not been an underlying problem plaguing the Seawolves, just tough breaks that will eventually work themselves out. “I don’t think it’s one thing you could point to,” McAlister said. “If you look
at the seasons, we’ve always been very successful and it’s always just a matter of that one game.” What will it take for the Seawolves to win that one game? “You don’t have to do anything crazy,” Resner said. “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Keep doing what we’ve done and the right thing will happen.” Great Danes head coach Will Brown agrees. “I think it’s unfair to just judge somebody strictly on what’s happened in the conference tournament,” Brown said. “I don’t think they’re doing anything wrong.” If so, Stony Brook is entering its season with maybe its best chance yet. The Seawolves are returning all of their
players from last season outside of transfers Scott King and Chris Braley. Senior Rayshaun McGrew will bring his usual dose of strong defense and rebounding. Pikiell will also get to play transfer point guard Lucas Woodhouse, while Ahmad Walker transferred back to Stony Brook after leaving following his freshman year. Pikiell considers both “starting caliber” players. Their five freshmen from last year now have postseason experience, and Warney and Puriefoy are motivated to finally break through. “On paper they’re probably more talented than anybody in the league,” Brown said. “I will send Warney and Puriefoy graduation gifts. I would send them now if they were willing to graduate in December.” Pikiell wants to take full advantage of the fact that the majority of his roster is returning—with only Woodhouse and Walker as key additions—and looks to build chemistry right away. In prior years, the team’s tournament rotation was not set until late in the season. “I would love to get that done earlier,” Pikiell said. “Usually doesn’t work that way between injuries and experience and how guys play. We were replacing a lot of starters from the year before so this year will be a little different.” This year will also be tougher given Stony Brook’s nonconference schedule, which Pikiell described as “brutal.” Only five of the Seawolves’ 13 non-conference games are at home. Stony Brook’s reliance on Warney and Puriefoy will remain the same, although they are not the same players from last season. Warney slimmed down, improved his conditioning and is knocking down 15-foot jumpers, according to Pikiell. Puriefoy will be playing away from the ball more with Woodhouse, more of a traditional point guard, coming in. Stony Brook has been the favorite several times before, but both current and former players believe that this will be the team to take that next step. “I feel like we’re more talented this year and we’re more experienced,” Warney said. The talent has always been there for the Seawolves, but not like this year. “The opportunity’s always been there, the teams have always been really good,” McAlister said. “But I do think this is without a doubt one of the best teams Stony Brook has had.” As for Pikiell, as hard as he tried, even he could not suppress his hunger for another chance. “Let’s just get to that last game again and let’s do it,” Pikiell said. “We’re going to dig, scratch and claw to get back to that game again and hopefully the ball gets tipped by four people and it goes to our guy and he tees one up.”
Schedule vs.
USMMA at Vanderbilt at Western Kentucky at Loyola Maryland vs. Farmingdale State vs. Princeton at Notre Dame at Northeastern at American vs. Hofstra
Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.
at Lehigh at NJIT vs. Columbia at Binghamton vs. UMass Lowell vs. UMBC at New Hampshire at Hartford vs. Albany vs. Maine
Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at 9 p.m. Jan. 24 at 2 p.m.
at Vermont vs. Binghamton at UMass Lowell vs. Hartford at UMBC vs. New Hampshire at Albany at Maine vs. Vermont
Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
Puriefoy puts America East title weight on his shoulders By David Vertsberger Assistant Sports Editor
Seniors Carson Puriefoy and Jameel Warney combined for 30.8 PPG last season. Hanaa’ Tameez / The Statesman.
Warney committed to team and March Madness dream By Skyler Gilbert Staff Writer As a young boy growing up in northern New Jersey, Jameel Warney would shoot baskets for hours with his step-dad on a hoop outside his Plainfield home. When he was nine years old, Warney asked his mother, Denise, for a trampoline. “For what?” she asked. “I want to dunk.” Even during his elementary school years, it was apparent that for Warney, now a two-time defending America East Player of the Year, basketball was not merely a sport — it was an obsession. “I can never get enough basketball,” the Stony Brook senior forward said. “I mean, I love playing the game, I love playing 2K [a basketball video game], I love watching basketball. When the NBA or college basketball is on, that’s my favorite time of the year.” Sunrise to sunset, he breathes basketball. The sport has always been his only love, but he was not always as great at it as he is today. In the summer following sixth grade, when Warney first played for Mike Heller, his longtime AAU coach on the New Jersey Hot Shots, he had already been playing in the yard for a few years. Warney liked the game and had size and strength that screamed potential. But he had never played organized basketball on a team before, and it showed. “Jameel was maybe the worst basketball player I’d ever seen in my life,” Heller recalled. “He was lazy, not very talented. Just horrible. So bad.” Such a description may have been appropriate at the time, but before long, it could not have been further from the truth. Warney studied NBA stars Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, emulating their style of play. He watched basketball religiously and improved along the way. Before long, Warney had footwork as good as any big man in Union County. According to Heller, Warney was dominating the Amateur Athletic Union competition by eighth grade. His mother and Heller decided it would be best for Warney to attend high school at Roselle Catholic, a 25-minute drive from his home. Warney’s mother
was concerned about the education at the inner-city Plainfield High School and preferred a private school. Warney was hesitant at first, but decided it would be for the best. “Coming from an inner-city, you see a certain kind of lifestyle that certain people are living,” Heller said. “You either choose that lifestyle or you choose to be better than that lifestyle. From day one, Jameel’s always chosen the better lifestyle.”
“His loyalty to his teammates, to his university, to his friends; it’s probably his strongest suit.” At Roselle Catholic, Warney was a four-year starter, ranking first in school history in career rebounds and blocked shots and ranking second in career points. Warney helped turn Roselle Catholic into one of the best basketball schools in the state of New Jersey. A seven-win team in Warney’s freshman season, the Lions won 18 games by his junior season. “He helped us start it all. Before he got here, not too many people knew about Roselle Catholic,” the high school’s head coach Dave Boff said. “By the time he left, we were a top-10 team in the state.” Warney averaged a double-double in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons of high school and was considered by EKB Scouting Service as the fifth-best recruit in New Jersey that year. Former Stony Brook guard Bryan Dougher played a major role in bringing Warney to the Seawolves. The two had known each other for six years, having both played on the Hot Shots. Using the lure of a new arena and a strong academic university, Stony Brook head coach Steve Pikiell was able to secure a verbal commitment from Warney early in the process. Bigger and better-known schools across the country like Iowa and Ten-
nessee offered him scholarships to play basketball, but Warney kept his commitment to attend Stony Brook. “His loyalty, from day one, has been something special,” Pikiell said. “His loyalty to his teammates, to his university, to his friends; it’s probably his strongest suit.” Warney may have the national accolades now—leading the NCAA in total rebounds and double-doubles last season—but he has not forgotten where he came from. Warney shows deep loyalty toward his hometown. He trains with his high school team during the summer and he calls his mother after every game. “Plainfield means everything to me,” Warney said. “I grew up there, I lived there all my life. It’s just something I can’t forget about.” When the two-time America East Defensive Player of the Year leaves Stony Brook, he will be the first male in his family to graduate college. This year, Warney has been under a microscope during almost every team practice, with NBA scouts present monitoring his every move. Pikiell said that every team has been in contact and either has or will visit this fall. The special attention doesn’t deter Warney from his number one goal this season—winning an America East title. “When I first came here, I saw it as a challenge. I wanted to be on the first team to make it to the tournament,” Warney said. “With this as my last year, I’m so obsessed with winning now. I want to cut down that net.” Pikiell noted that Warney has stepped up more than ever as a leader. Sophomores Tyrell Sturdivant and Jakub Petráš have taken strides under Warney’s mentorship. “He’s got a really playful personality—I think he plays around the most on our team. The thing with him though, is that when he steps between the lines, it’s wartime.” Sturdivant said. “That’s one thing I really learn from him.” Warney will be ready for one last war. One last battle. Throughout his childhood, he dreamed of being able to dunk. His senior season provides one last chance to complete the biggest slam dunk of all—leading Stony Brook to its first NCAA tournament berth.
Senior guard Carson Puriefoy III was at the wrong place at the wrong time when the Stony Brook Men’s Basketball team lost in the playoffs the last three seasons. Former Albany guard Mike Black took it to Puriefoy and scored a game-winning lay-up in the 2013 America East semifinals. In 2014, Puriefoy slipped and fell as guard Peter Hooley knocked down a three-pointer to seal the deal and send the Great Danes to the NCAA Tournament. Last year, Puriefoy missed a crucial late-game free throw that allowed Albany to once again steal an America East Championship banner from Stony Brook. Puriefoy has heard all of this before. Those moments may have bothered him then, but now they are simply motivation. “When people say negative things about you, I could take it to heart, which might be a flaw, but that’s just how I am,” Puriefoy said. “We just gotta get it done. That’s the only mindset to have, there’s nothing else to be said.” It is now Puriefoy’s senior year—his last chance to put his past mistakes behind him and help the Seawolves win an America East crown. There’s no need to remind the New Jersey native though, as he carries everything with him as motivation. “He’s very sensitive. He takes everything to heart,” Bob Falconiero, who coached Puriefoy at Bishop Eustace Prep High School, said. “He was one of those guys that I really didn’t have to get on. If you get on him, he gets upset.” Puriefoy developed his ambition at a young age, one of the many lessons instilled by his father, Carson Puriefoy II, who was a three-year-starter at Bucknell University. He put a basketball in his son’s hands at the age of four and coached him early on. Balancing the roles of dad and coach led to some clashes, but necessary ones. “We had long car rides after games when he would sternly talk to me about my play,” Puriefoy said. “Even though I didn’t always love it, I knew he had my best interest at heart.” Puriefoy turned to his brother Jamar and mother Vanessa when he needed to hear another voice, and Puriefoy’s father believes they balanced out his intense approach well. This made Puriefoy a better player though, and his father quickly accepted
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Continued from previous page that his son would end up eclipsing his talents. “[Puriefoy] was at a camp... and I ran into a gentleman that used to coach me in college,” Puriefoy’s father said. “He pointed out a couple things, and when I thought about it later, I realized that the two things he stressed that [Puriefoy] really did a good job of were two things that I struggled at.” Puriefoy had natural talent and was never afraid to sacrifice his body, diving for loose balls and crashing into defenders if need be. However, his soft side became just as apparent to his coaches. After a New Jersey Gym Rats Amateur Athletic Union game in Las Vegas, his coach, Rick Barrett, found Puriefoy distressed over a text message from a teammate. “I’m thinking like, Carson’s a freaking jerk off, he’s an asshole, something like that,” Barrett said. “He was upset about ‘Carson’s not a good guy’.” Puriefoy cares about what people think of him, but sets out to prove doubters wrong with his work ethic. He never missed a high school game, practice or summer workout. He was always punctual and would play through injuries. “I didn’t like that part,” Barrett said. “Usually when kids get hurt, I want to sit them. Carson wasn’t that kid. He wanted to play with anything.” What Barrett did like was what he saw from Puriefoy on the court. His aggressiveness dates back to his youth. Despite being undersized and younger than his opponents, he was never hesitant. “He takes a beating,” Stony Brook head coach Steve Pikiell said. “The way he plays, he goes to the rim a lot, and he’s not big so he gets knocked down a lot. A lot of times I like to tell him let’s pull up in the lane a little bit, you don’t need to go crashing into six people every game.” He idolized star NBA players that were also towered over, none more than Allen Iverson. When his team lost, Puriefoy always put the blame on himself, not others. “I hate losing more than I like winning,” Puriefoy said. “This year and years past, for this team we’ve wanted to get to the tournament, that’s always the motivation.” Puriefoy came to Stony Brook to win and pursue a degree in political science, but moving away from home meant he needed to find a family away from his family. Puriefoy found this in Jameel Warney, a fellow senior who had already committed to the school. The Stony Brook star personally called Puriefoy to recruit him. Puriefoy considers Warney a friend and a brother, and says their bond is one that goes beyond basketball. Warney thinks their personalities mesh well. “I’m not sensitive,” Warney said. “So you gotta have someone to be sensitive.” The two have formed a deadly duo on the court, but have failed to get over the America East title hump. This is their final shot.
I’m not going to lie, it was a difficult journey. When I came in as a freshman, I thought I knew it all. I thought I was ready to play college basketball. Just like everyone else who plays college sports, I wanted to make an impact as a freshman. Looking back on it now, I wasn’t ready to play. Everyone was bigger, faster, stronger. I knew I would have to adjust my playing style in order to be successful. I’m glad I did because I was able to contribute and give the team a spark off the bench. I think my confidence started to pick up when I started four games. A.J. [Anthony Jackson] was hurt. I was nervous. I had never played at that kind of level where you had to keep up the intensity on both ends. It was a big adjustment that took time but I’m glad I went through it. I was fortunate to be in a good situation. We had the best team on paper. Tommy [Brenton] was a senior and we had a lot of good pieces. We won the regular season. As a young kid, I was lucky to have some of the older guys teach me the ropes. Now I’m one of the older guys on team giving
advice to the younger guys. I’ve taken away a lot during my time here. Probably time management being one of the biggest life skills. You have to balance school work with your basketball responsibilities and social life. It’s hard to do, but it’s something you have to be good at if you want to succeed in life. It’s definitely crossed my mind that it’s my senior year, but the season hasn’t started yet. We’re a week away from the first game. Jameel and I and Ray know what’s at stake. We gotta finish what we started. I’ll remember the great experiences I’ve had with the guys. From playing in Pritchard for two years and the exciting games in there to moving downstairs to the Arena, it’s all been great. Playing games in front of thousands of fans to games on TV are some of the things I’ll remember. We got to go to Europe. I’m thankful for my coaches, teammates and the fans who’ve supported us over the last three seasons. Go Seawolves. - Carson Puriefoy
Carson Puriefoy Hanaa’ Tameez / The Statesman
Snow to emerge as leader in senior year By Joseph Wolkin Contributing Writer
Stony Brook has been my home for the past four years. The University and Stony Brook Athletics has shaped me into the person I am today. I came to Stony Brook because I believed in the vision of the women’s basketball program and I wanted the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. The past four years at Stony Brook have been rewarding and memorable, but have gone by too fast. As a freshman, I came to Stony Brook not knowing what to expect, but I knew I would have to give it my all in order to succeed. As a senior, I understand that giving your all is how to win and why we as a team have been successful in the past. This is my last year to have the honor of wearing a Stony Brook jersey and I couldn’t be more excited about the people next to me. The culture Coach McCombs has created along with her coaching staff, my teammates, our advisors, and Mr. Heilbron’s ambition for our program have made Stony Brook something very special and a place contagious with excitement. Stony Brook is transforming and I am lucky to be a part of something as big as I know Stony Brook will be. My
only wish is that I had more years of eligibility. I want my last season at Stony Brook to be the beginning of what is to come for Stony Brook Athletics. I wish for our season to be the stepping-stone to Mr. Heilbron’s goals and for it to be a solid foundation for Coach McCombs’ team’s culture in the future. I know that this team is special and I know my fellow seniors are one of the hardest working groups I have seen. For this reason, I am excited for our season and what this will mean to the people involved in our program. Stony Brook Women’s Basketball has had so much success in the past because of our phenomenal band and the support of our Seawolves fans. Thank you to the band for playing at all of our games and always knowing how to pump us up in our warm ups. Thank you to our fans who support us no matter what, including in snowstorms and tough games. You guys really are the 6th man of this team and I hope to see you all Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at our home opener against Iona College. Let’s make this a memorable season and go Seawolves! - Brittany Snow
Brittany Snow Hanaa’ Tameez / The Statesman
On Stony Brook University’s East Campus, senior forward Brittany Snow’s focus is away from basketball. The pre-medical psychology major has worked in the institution’s hospital for the past year and a half, focusing on her career and attempting to manage two completely different worlds. The crowded hospital, with patients surrounded by men and women in white coats rushing through the halls, is what she is used to. It is her passion, one that can be seen as she helps people, doing what she loves. “Whether it is calling patients on the phone, doing tests with them, reading EEGs, cleaning them, searching things about strokes and apathy to help out,” Snow said. “Just anything and everything.” But that is not all Snow does at Stony Brook. The arena and hospital are in no way alike, except for one thing. In both places, Snow excels. On the court, Snow, a senior, is one of head coach Caroline McCombs’ key leaders. She has been with the Seawolves since 2012, earning several awards as a forward, including being named to the All-America East Third Team last season. “The one thing for Brittany is she tries to carry the weight of the team on her shoulders,” McCombs said. “I want her to be Brittany Snow and continue to lead by example, continuing to talk and encourage her teammates and everyone around her. She is very cerebral.” Snow has emerged as a leader on and off the court at Stony Brook. Her willingness to teach teammates has made her a mentor for those she shares the court with. It was all just a dream a few years ago, though. Originally, the institution was not even on her radar. The Shamong, New Jersey native had other plans. She considered Sacred Heart, Iona, Colgate and Cornell, among others. However, her heart settled on Stony Brook following a single visit to the campus. “I actually was never going to go to Stony Brook,” Snow said. “I came on one visit and I fell in love with everything about Stony Brook. I came here and I loved everything about it. Their athletic program was just getting better every single year, academics were amazing and they had a hospital, which was really important to me be-
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Continued from previous page cause I wanted to do pre-med. The coaches said to me that it was going to be hard, but we are going to get better each year. I wanted to be a part of that.” Since then, she has called the university home, preparing to become either a neurologist or an orthopedic surgeon. “I do research over at the hospital in the CUPID Lab,” Snow said. “I work with a doctor in neurology, and I have worked with him for about a year and a half now. Every little project he has, I do something with it.” While she enjoys her academic work, Snow has to find the happy medium between success in her studies and excelling on the basketball court. “It is hard, not going to lie,” Snow said. “We have great academic advisors here and great academic programs, so they really set you up on the right track.” Over the past two seasons, Snow has been a top-20 rebounder in the America East. In her sophomore season, she ranked 18th in the conference with 9.8 rebounds per game. She improved her ranking to 11th in her junior year, averaging 6.2 boards a game. As Snow has grown on the court, the Seawolves have built around her. The women’s basketball team finished third in the America East last year, ending the year at 17-14, a decrease from 24 wins during the 20132014 season. Snow hopes to lead the Seawolves in the America East this year with redshirt senior guard Miranda Jenkins by her side. The two are entering their fourth season together, and they have developed chemistry over the years. “She is the hardest worker that I have ever played in my life,” Jenkins said. “I’ve played for 17 years now, and she is by far the hardest worker that I have seen. She does the littlest things that you don’t get recognized for; That’s just talking, diving and always having our teammate’s backs with what we do. I’ve never seen her take a day off of practice. She could be injured and would still play.” As Snow continues to develop entering her senior year on the team, the focus will have to switch off the court. Following graduation, she will be taking a gap year. However, she hopes to eventually enter Stony Brook University’s School of Medicine. She has come a long way with the Long Island school. Snow has been a large part of Stony Brook in more ways than one, and now the senior has one last chance to lead her basketball team to a conference title. “I think the most pressure is because I want to do this for my teammates,” Snow said. “I have a good amount of pressure. But at the same time, we have handled it for the past four years and I think we can handle it.”
Jenkins overcomes tragedy in basketball career By Chris Gaine Assistant Sports Editor Redshirt senior guard Miranda Jenkins is the most experienced player on the Stony Brook Women’s Basketball team. But getting to this point has been far from a smooth ride. Jenkins has been through much more adversity than the average 23-year-old. Her brother, Jeremiah Jenkins, died in a car accident during her junior year of high school. Two years later as a college freshman, she tore her left ACL. Two years after that, she tore her right patella tendon. That is not quite how a prospective student-athlete would draw up their high school and college careers. Following the death of her brother, Jenkins—who was a standout guard at Eastern Guilford High School in North Carolina—was unsure if she had the drive to keep playing. “I considered [leaving] basketball because it was too emotional for me and my parents,” Jenkins said. “It was hard to deal with because at that age, you don’t think you’re going to lose someone. To this day, it’s something I still have trouble dealing with.”
Although she was physically healthy, the mental hurdles of playing again proved difficult. Jenkins and her family were grieving the loss of Jeremiah, who was only 22. But after some deliberation, she ultimately decided to continue playing. After all, basketball ran in her family. Jeremiah introduced Miranda to the game. “I started playing when I was five,” Jenkins said. “My brother was probably about ten, and I used to go to his basketball games. So that got me started. And my mom also played. So it ran in the family and I felt like it was something I had to do, and I enjoyed doing it.” The decision proved fruitful. Jenkins’ senior year in high school was her best season yet. She earned Conference Player of the Year, team Most Valuable Player and a selection to the NCPreps.com AllState team. Jenkins decided to play collegiately at Stony Brook. She earned a shot at playing Divison I basketball, and it looked like things would be smooth sailing from there. However, things took a turn for the worse during the Seawolves’ first scrimmage before Jenkins’ freshman year. The guard tore her ACL and missed the entire 2011-2012 season. Jenkins was forced to watch from the bench, a role
The turmoil redshirt senior guard Miranda Jenkins experienced has only strengthened her resolve to win as the Seawolves chase a title. Hanaa’ Tameez / The Statesman. that her former head coach Beth O’Boyle said she embraced enthusiastically, despite the physical anguish and mental pain of not being able to be on the basketball court and the team’s 4-26 record. “The way she was on the bench, she was still very vocal and very supportive of her teammates,” O’Boyle, former Stony Brook head coach and current Virginia Commonwealth head coach, said. “And we didn’t have to push her to go to rehab, she was in there every day.” After a year of rehab, Jenkins finally took the court for Stony Brook in November of 2012. “Once I finally hit the floor, it was more of a reflection of, ‘Wow, I got back to where I needed to be’,” Jenkins said. Although she was physically healthy, the mental hurdles of playing again proved difficult. “I was always nervous about getting hurt again,” Jenkins said. “Or I wouldn’t be satisfied with the way [my knee] healed because I was aching at times getting used to playing basketball again.” The following year, Jenkins’ role on the team expanded greatly, as did the Seawolves’ overall success. She played in 30 games and helped lead Stony Brook to a 24-win season—two years after winning only four games. “That season was my most memorable because we were doubted so much,” Jenkins said. “That’s the best memory because it was one of my best years since I’ve been here. Everything was just happiness.” That was when she would have to summon the courage to persevere again. Jenkins tore her right patella tendon in Stony Brook’s America East semifinal win over New Hampshire, which forced her to miss the championship game against Albany and Women’s National Invitational Tournament matchup against Michigan. Knocked down again, she had another
grueling off-season to look forward to in her quest to get back up once more. “Even seeing her come back from the ACL and then seeing the difference with the [patella] injury, even seeing how she dealt with those was so different,” senior forward Alyssa Coiro said. “Freshman year, she was coming back a little slower. With the [patella] injury, she was just back to business.” Injuries were not a problem last year under new head coach Caroline McCombs. Jenkins played in all 31 of Stony Brook’s games. There were no signs of fatigue on either surgically repaired knee. “I would say she was better than normal,” Coiro said. Now that she is in her final year at Stony Brook, Jenkins continues to channel her energy on the court. She has moved past her injuries and is ready for one final shot at making a run with the Seawolves. In terms of motivation, she has plenty. She has not and never will forget her brother’s memory. “Every season I dedicate to him,” Jenkins said. “To finish the game he didn’t get to finish. And he would be more than happy to see me play. He’s more the reason I play basketball.”
Career-highs: Points 17 vs. New Hampshire 2/9/14 Rebounds 12 vs. Columbia 11/21/14 Assists 6 at st. Francis-Brooklyn 12/3/14
Lacking a superstar, women rely on chemistry By Skyler Gilbert Staff Writer With the graduation of two-time All-America East honoree Sabre Proctor last spring, the Stony Brook Women’s Basketball team is turning over a new leaf heading into the 2015-16 season. The Seawolves went 17-14 in head coach Caroline McCombs’ inaugural season en route to a first-round exit in the conference tournament. After winning a program-record 24 games two seasons ago, the team had a tumultuous 2014-15 campaign. Stony Brook had some big wins last season, including a thrilling Dec. 19 win against Lafayette and a Feb. 22 upset against four-time defending conference champion Albany—but the season was ultimately marred by the disappointing way it ended. Stony Brook lost in the America East tournament 49–47 to a UMBC team the Seawolves had blown out in both regular season meetings. This season, Stony Brook is ranked fourth of nine teams in the preseason poll, as voted on by head coaches in the America East. Seniors Brittany Snow, Miranda Jenkins, Alyssa Coiro and Kim Hanlon will play their final seasons as they look to help the team rebound and challenge in the conference. One player who will not be back is Proctor, who finished her career with the 11th-most points in school history despite playing only three years for the Seawolves. McCombs noted that her presence will be difficult to replace. “When you graduate a 1,000-point
scorer, an all-conference player, that’s a tough void to fill,” McCombs said. “We’ve asked a lot of players to work on their game in the off-season to improve and we’ve recruited some newcomers.” With Stony Brook void of a bona fide star on the court this season, the team will look for a collaborative offensive effort. McCombs acknowledged that it is unlikely that any of her players will match the statistical output of Proctor, but she expects the hole to be filled by several players making modest improvements. The team effort the coach is looking for is best epitomized by junior point guard Kori Bayne-Walker, the orchestrator of the Seawolves’ offense and the conference’s leader in assists last season with 163. A second-team all-conference selection, Bayne-Walker was the second-leading scorer, trailing only Proctor. The Rochester-native has contributed in all aspects of the game for Stony Brook. In a non-conference game against Lafayette last December, Bayne-Walker finished the game just one rebound shy of a triple-double. Bayne-Walker has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the conference and her coach commended her intellectual offensive style. “Kori’s been a sponge in the off-season, just studying the game. She absolutely loves basketball,” McCombs said. “The sky’s the limit for Kori. She’s very smart. She brings vocal leadership that we need from a point guard—she knows what we want to do and she has a high standard from what she expects from herself.” While Bayne-Walker has emerged
The TOPPLE
The Letdown Albany 70, Stony Brook 46 March 10, 2014
Stony Brook 68, Albany 64 February 22, 2015
The Seawolves rode a six-game winning streak into their season finale against the Great Danes. They took that momentum and carried it to arguably the biggest win in program history. Stony Brook, led by junior guard Jessica Ogunnorin’s career-high 18 points, ended Albany’s 38game America East winning streak.
After crushing New Hampshire by 20 in the America East semifinals, Stony Brook had its best chance to unseat Albany from the conference throne. Just over a week after their thrilling win against the Great Danes, then-sophomore forward Brittany Snow’s 12 points and 8 rebounds were not enough to take the title.
Stony Brook 66, Albany 56 March 1, 2014
as a leader in the backcourt, Snow has emerged as a chief in the frontcourt for the Seawolves. The senior forward has seen a significant jump in her efficiency, as her field goal percentage climbed from 40.2 percent in her sophomore season to a team-best 51.3 percent in her junior season.
“Brittany’s just a staple,” McCombs said. “As a coach, you don’t realize the impact that players like that have on things until they’re gone. She never steps between the lines not giving everything she has. She’s focused, she’s self-motivated, she cares.” Stony Brook is going to look to several players to make larger contributions to help fill the absence of Proctor and Jessica Ogunnorin, who was the team’s leading rebounder last season. She transferred to play out her redshirt senior season at her graduate school, Virginia Commonwealth. McCombs is expecting a by-committee approach to the low-post game this season. Senior forward Alyssa Coiro is
expected to start, with junior Anamaria Skaro, redshirt sophomore Elizabeth Manner and freshman Ogechi Anyagaligbo figuring to contribute down low as well. Jenkins and junior guard Christa Scognamiglio will play important roles as wing players. Jenkins, one of four seniors on the team, figures to be improved this season, one more year recovered from a patella injury suffered as a redshirt sophomore. Scognamiglio was the Seawolves’ leading three-point threat a season ago, knocking down 54 shots from behind the arc. The team’s schedule will not be easy, as Stony Brook’s nonconference tab features games against Syracuse and Ole Miss, a pair of power-conference schools. A home win against perennial conference-favorite Albany last season demonstrated the kind of potential this team has and McCombs has high expectations for her team in the upcoming season. “We want to win every game,” McCombs said. “That’s our expectation. We’ll compete and try to get better every single day.” The head coach noted the importance of team chemistry, a main theme for the Seawolves this season, as they look to overcome tough departures and try to attain favorable outcomes moving forward. “I think that we do that first in the locker room and being good teammates with one another,” McCombs added. “If we build that sort of culture within, I think it will translate to onthe-court success.”
The Upset
The ShockER
Leave it to the senior to come through on Senior Night. A year after ending one Albany winning streak, Stony Brook brought another to a close as senior forward Sabre Proctor’s 21 points helped the Seawolves end the Great Danes’ 30game road America East winning streak.
Under new head coach Caroline McCombs, Stony Brook managed to earn the third seed in the America East heading into the postseason. They could not return to the title game or even the semifinals, though, as UMBC spoiled the party in the opening round. Then-sophomore guard Kori Bayne-Walker’s 21 points were not enough in the loss.
“We want to win every game. That’s our expectation. We’ll compete and try to get better every single day.”
UMBC 49, Stony Brook 47 March 7, 2015
Schedule vs. Iona at Hofstra at Saint Peter’s at Columbia vs. Ole Miss vs. St. Bonaventure at Cornell at Syracuse at Yale vs. Morgan State
Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
at Wagner vs. LIU Brooklyn vs. Harvard vs. Binghamton at UMass Lowell at UMBC vs. New Hampshire vs. Hartford at Albany at Maine
Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. Dec. 30 4 p.m. Jan. 6 at 12 p.m. Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at 12 p.m. Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at 5 p.m. Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.
vs. Vermont at Binghamton vs. UMass Lowell at Hartford vs. UMBC at New Hampshire vs. Albany vs. Maine at Vermont
Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.
Designed by Will Welch
OPINIONS
World Health Organization's condemnation of bacon misleads
By Jonathon Kline Staff Writer
Editor-in-Chief ............ Hanaa' Tameez Managing Editor ........... Niveditha Obla Managing Editor ........... Kelly Zegers News Editor .............................................................Arielle Martinez Arts & Entertainment Editor ....................................Rena Thomas Sports Editor .......................................................Andrew Eichenholz Opinions Editor .................................................Christopher Leelum Multimedia Editor ....................................................Krysten Massa Web & Graphics Editor....................................................Will Welch Copy Chief ................................................................Briana Finneran Assistant News Editor...........................................Michaela Kilgallen Assistant News Editor...................................................Kelly Saberi Assistant News Editor.................................................Rachel Siford Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor............ Francesca Campione Assistant Sports Editor.................................................Chris Gaine Assistant Sports Editor..........................................David Vertsberger Assistant Opinions Editor ...........................................Emily Benson Assistant Multimedia Editor........................ ..Christopher Cameron Assistant Multimedia Editor..................................Bridget Downes Assistant Copy Chief.........................................Stacey Slavutsky
Late last week, the World Health Organization released a study that claimed many beloved food items, namely bacon and other processed meats, could contain carcinogenic materials that may cause cancer later on in life. This promptly lead to an outburst of activity on both traditional and new media platforms, such as CNN and Facebook respectively, with many questioning
the legitimacy and severity of the WHO’s claims. In the report, the WHO stated that processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts increase your chances of colon cancer by nearly 18 percent later on in life, while eating a diet high in red meats increases your chance of having colorectal cancer by 17 percent. Though these statistics are a bit eye-opening when taken at face value, some of the other claims that WHO’s study declared make these claims seem less serious. My whole qualm with this situ-
ation really rests upon the fact that the WHO’s classification system is outmoded and it needs to be dramatically revamped. To put the health risks of bacon and cigarettes on the same level just isn’t right. How could you say that cigarettes, which are known to increase your chances of getting lung cancer by nearly 2,500 percent in your lifetime, can be grouped in the same category as bacon, which, should you eat two strips Continued on page 10
Baseball is over, let the Mets bandwagon exodus begin
Advertising Manager .................................................. Shayna Byrne Advertisement Layout............................................Frank Migliorino
Contact us: Phone: 631-632-6479 Fax: 631-632-9128 Web: www.sbstatesman.com To contact the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editors about organizational comments, questions, suggestions, corrections or photo permission, email editors@sbstatesman.com. To reach a specific section editor: News Editor.....................................news@sbstatesman.com Arts & Entertainment Editor.............arts@sbstatesman.com Sports Editor..................................sports@sbstatesman.com Opinions Editor..........................opinions@sbstatesman.com Multimedia Editor..................multimedia@sbstatesman.com Web & Graphics Editor.....................web@sbstatesman.com Copy Chief.......................................copy@sbstatesman.com The Statesman is a student-run, student-written incorporated publication at Stony Brook University in New York. The paper was founded as The Sucolian in 1957 at Oyster Bay, the original site of Stony Brook University. In 1975, The Statesman was incorporated as a not-for-profit, student-run organization. Its editorial board, writers and multimedia staff are all student volunteers. New stories are published online every day Monday through Thursday. A print issue is published every Monday during the academic year and is distributed to many on-campus locations, the Stony Brook University Hospital and over 70 off-campus locations. The Statesman and its editors have won several awards for student journalism and several past editors have gone on to enjoy distinguished careers in the field of journalism. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @ sbstatesman. Disclaimer: Views expressed in columns or in the Letters and Opinions section are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Statesman. The Statesman promptly corrects all errors of substance published in the paper. If you have a question or comment about the accuracy or fairness of an article please send an email to editors@sbstatesman.com. First issue free; additional issues cost 50 cents.
PHOTO CREDIT: KEITH ALLISON/FLICKR
After a surprisingly successful season, the Mets made it to the World Series for the first time in 15 years, coming up just short to the Kansas City Royals in five games. By Nick Zararis Contributing Writer
Although it wasn’t quite midnight when the run Matt Harvey was responsible for crossed the plate and scored, it certainly felt like the carriage turned back into a pumpkin for the New York Mets. Harvey saw a chance to put all the innings-limit talk behind him and endear himself into baseball folklore, making a last stand and extending the series to a Game Six. But it was not to be. It just wasn’t in the cards. And as that run scored, the newfangled Mets bandwagon began a mass exodus not seen since all your Miami Heat fan friends showed up to hang out wearing Cleveland Cavaliers apparel last summer. But there is a better question to be asked here, and it transcends baseball: Is it ever okay to bandwagon? Magically, over the months of September and October, it seemed that the classic interlocking of Mets and Yankees fans dis-
appeared in favor of the blue and orange from Flushing. Mets fans came out of the woodwork and the authenticity of every single one was brought into question. Traditionally, the Mets play the role of little brother to the Yankees. Yes, the Mets are a baseball team in New York, but for several years since the monumental collapses of 2007 and 2008, one could simply walk up to Citi Field on gameday and buy tickets for most games. But from the time the Mets swept the Washington Nationals in August, there was something different about this Mets team. The dominant pitching was being supported by the newly acquired Yoenis Cespedes and the suddenly resurgent lineup, and the whispers began: Could they make a run? With the Yankees limping through September, trying to just survive to scrape into the one-game wild card round, the Mets bandwagon had plenty of vacancies. But if one is to bandwagon, they must be very conscious of a few things: It is not your favorite team and do not act as such. Don’t
talk about how difficult the season was. And don’t let people know you’re bandwagoning. Keep it to yourself. A season is long and tortuous, and the fan that had to endure some truly dark times during the season doesn’t want you enjoying it as much as they are. Just enjoying the good times is not what being a fan is all about. Being a sports fan is all about the highs and lows of a season, to truly be there to see the end of the dark times. As dramatic as it sounds, people look to sports to distract themselves from everyday life—that’s what sports are, an escape. It’s why bandwagoning is so against the grain of being a sports fan. It’s almost a rite of passage; you suffer with your team to eventually climb to the mountaintop, and in the case of Met fans that mountain took nine long years to climb. So don’t jump on the bandwagon as it goes by. Just wave to your friends and let them have their moment because for some, they don’t get that more than once or twice in a lifetime.
10
Monday, November 9, 2015
Earn 3 Credits in 3 Weeks
The Statesman
Opinions
WHO's greasy war on bacon is dangerous Continued from page 9 a day, increases your risk of getting colon cancer by 6 percent? This sort of misinformation is one that can prove to be extremely detrimental to the livelihoods of people everywhere. Though processed foods like bacon and cold cuts are not the healthiest items to eat, especially when eaten frequently, they just simply cannot be put onto the same level as cigarettes are.
The risks that come along with smoking are severely greater than those that are associated with eating a couple of strips of bacon in the morning. For instance, the WHO categorized processed meats like bologna into the same carcinogenic group as cigarettes, called “Group 1.” This naturally led to many claims that cigarettes were as bad as bacon, and even some articles having a headline reading, “Bacon, Hot Dogs as Bad as Cigarettes.”
The WHO has to have an overhaul of its system, and instead of just classifying everything together as being carcinogenic to humans they should have differing levels of severity to the health and wellbeing of people. Bacon is not nearly as bad for you as a cigarette, and yet the WHO is still clinging to this preposterous idea that it is. So, I say to the WHO with the utmost sincerity: Do not mess with people’s bacon, as it is not a fight that you will win.
Just say "hi" and I'll say "goodbye"
WINTERSESSION 2016 January 5 to January 23 Attending Winter Session allows you to fill in missing courses or speed the progress toward your degree.
PHOTO CREDIT: STEVEPB/PIXABAY
The "Just Say Hi" Campaign was started by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation in an effort to begin a long conversation about the significance of disabilities. By Michael Kohut Staff Writer
Stony Brook’s Winter Session is the most productive way to spend your break. • Fulfill DEC or SBC requirements. • Take advantage of flexible online courses. • Stay on track for graduation. • Choose from over 100 courses in more than 20 subjects. Call (631) 632-6175 or visit
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I was going to write about how Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that will see the word “handicapped” be phased out from signage across the state, as well as replacing the existing accessibility logo with a new, noticeably more kinetic image. That is, until a good friend of mine with cerebral palsy informed me of something much more worthy of my attention and my anger: The Cerebral Palsy Foundation’s “Just say hi” campaign. In short, it’s an egregiously outdated movement that encourages people to start conversations with those with disabilities with a simple hello. For people with CP or any other outwardly visible disability, like myself, this kind of movement is a step in the wrong direction. This alienates us, places us in a position of otherness, and fosters the kind of abled-person’s-burden mentality that so many of us try to separate ourselves from. It reinforces the sense that they should be looking at us and saying, “Hey, I’m doing a great thing and making their day,” that
saying hello to a person that isn’t standing up is a great and noble deed that will usher in a new age where those with disabilities are just as welcome as everyone else into conversations. You aren’t, it isn’t, and cool it with the messiah complex, because it’s called ableism and none of us care for it. Just take a look at #JustSayHi around social media. It’s hard to find anything except mockery and and anger. There’s even a second hashtag, #JustActNormally, formed in response to the CPF’s initiative. This well-intentioned awareness campaign is having the opposite effect of what it’s meant to, but why? It’s because at its root, it is patronizing and relies on the idea that the general population doesn’t know how to talk to people in wheelchairs. We’re at a point now, as a society, where saying “hi” to a person in a minority position shouldn’t be something that you give extra thought to. Yet, we have a foundation that exists to better the lives of people with CP enacting a campaign that will only recycle the same tired stigma for the next generation. To be in the shoes of a
person in that position is a hard thing to understand, so let me tell you a story from about six days ago, before I was made aware of the campaign. I was buying food on campus and waiting for my order to be called when a woman walked up to me, said “hi,” and asked me what my name was. I was taken aback by the utter lack of social grace and forgot to ask her name, but my number was called soon afterwards, and I made my escape from the awkward encounter, the likes of which I hadn’t experienced for a few years now—someone talking to me for the sake of saying “hi” just because it’s a thing to do. I brushed it off, not thinking of it again until I learned of the campaign, but now I suspect that my experience may have been connected. If you or anyone you know has participated in this campaign, even if it’s just by sharing, stop immediately. Saying “hi” to a person with a disability isn’t your good deed for the day; we feel annoyed and uncomfortable when people do this to us. If you talk to us just to say “hi,” we’ll try to say goodbye as soon as possible.
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Sports
Monday, November 9, 2015
Women's lacrosse releases schedule, will play eight 2015 NCAA qualifiers
By Skyler Gilbert Staff Writer
If a team wants to be the best, they must play against the best. Stony Brook’s Women’s Lacrosse team is doing exactly that, with a schedule featuring eight NCAA tournament teams from a season ago. The three-time defending America East champions will not have it easy if they intend to match or exceed their 18-win 2015 season. The Seawolves’ 2016 schedule, released on Wednesday, includes
several nonconference games against teams in national contention, including rematches against Florida, Northwestern and Johns Hopkins—three teams that Stony Brook played last season. Head coach Joe Spallina’s team will begin its season on the road against Bryant on Feb. 28. The Bulldogs were Northeast Conference champions in 2015, losing to Loyola in the first round of the NCAA tournament. After the season opener, Stony Brook will begin its home schedule at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium with a game against Florida
on March 6. The Seawolves defeated the Gators, ranked sixth at the time, 12-11 last season in Gainesville, Florida. After playing Yale at home, the Seawolves will then begin a cross-country road trip against three NCAA tournament teams. Stony Brook will face Northwestern on March 12. The Seawolves’ victory against the Wildcats last season is the highest-ranking win in program history. Northwestern, a seven-time national champion, was ranked No. 5 in the country when the teams met. In a pair of games in California,
CHRISTOPHER CAMERON/ THE STATESMAN
The Stony Brook Women's Lacrosse team, above, earned the sixth seed in the 2015 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship, but fell in the second round to Princeton, 8-4.
Stony Brook will take on USC, a team the Seawolves defeated 7-4 last season, on March 14. Two days later, the Seawolves will face the San Diego State Aztecs. After returning from the Golden State, Stony Brook will host Delaware on March 19 in the first contest of a five-game homestand. On March 24, Jacksonville will visit LaValle Stadium. The Dolphins won the Atlantic Sun Conference last season and will look to avenge a 13-4 loss at the hands of the Seawolves last year. Stony Brook faces Stanford on March 26. The home match will mark the first ever meeting between the two teams. The Cardinals were conference champions of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in 2015 en route to an NCAA tournament berth. Spallina’s squad will kick off America East play on April 2 with a home game against Vermont. On April 6, Stony Brook hosts UMBC, a team that the Seawolves defeated in the conference semifinals last season. After a pair of conference games against New Hampshire and UMass Lowell, Stony Brook will look to avenge its only regular-season loss from last season against Johns Hopkins at LaValle Stadium on April 17. The Blue Jays were ranked No. 20 in the country when they beat the Seawolves 7-5 in Baltimore, Maryland. The regular season comes to a close for Stony Brook with a road game against Binghamton
on April 20, a home game against Hofstra on April 22 and its regular season finale at Albany on April 30. The Seawolves have defeated the Great Danes in the America East championship game for three consecutive years. The four-team conference tournament will be played on May 6 and May 8 at the site of the top seed in the conference. “One of our goals from day one has been to put together a challenging schedule that prepares us for conference and postseason play,” head coach Joe Spallina said in the Athletics Department press release disclosing the team’s schedule. “This year’s schedule is another step in that direction. We are really looking forward to the challenges this schedule presents in our pursuit to the top.” In four seasons at Stony Brook, Spallina has brought the team from the 4-11 squad that the Seawolves were the season before he arrived to a team that recorded an 18-2 record in 2015, including the postseason. Only Maryland, the eventual national champions, had a better record last season. For Stony Brook, the goal is now to achieve success in the NCAA tournament and improve on last year’s season-ending home loss to Princeton in the second round. By playing the toughest schedule in program history, the Seawolves will try to prepare themselves to do exactly that.
The Statesman
Sports
Monday, November 9, 2015
13
Despite Stony Brook's struggles, Ochi making Seawolves history By Chris Gaine
Assistant Sports Editor
There are several reasons behind Stony Brook Football’s 1-5 conference record this season. Injuries, ineffective quarterback play and a tough schedule have left the Seawolves locked in the cellar of the Colonial Athletic Association. Senior defensive lineman Victor Ochi is not one of those reasons. Ochi has stood out as one of the best defensive linemen in the Football Championship Subdivision and is quite possibly Stony Brook’s most talented player at any position. His 9.5 sacks this season are tied for fourth in the FCS and with just one more, he will become Stony Brook’s all-time program leader in career sacks. “I think it’s obvious that when he’s had successful games, we’ve been better as a defensive unit,” Stony Brook head coach Chuck Priore said. When Ochi first entered Valley Stream Central High School on Long Island, a path to football stardom seemed all but impossible. Ochi always wanted to play football, but his parents initially would not allow him. “I wanted to run track just to run track because I didn’t think I’d be able to play football,” Ochi said. “My family finally bought into it and let me play my sophomore year.” Now that he was finally able to suit up on the gridiron, Ochi needed a position. “My coach decided that I was one of the biggest kids on the little team
Friday Women’s Volleyball vs. New Hampshire 5 p.m. (Pritchard Gymnasium) Women’s Basketball vs. Iona 7 p.m. (Island Federal Credit Union Arena) Cross Country at NCAA Regional Championships 12 p.m., 1 p.m. (Boston, MA)
Saturday Men’s Football vs. Rhode Island 12:30 p.m. (Kingston, RI) Men’s Basketball vs. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 7 p.m. (Island Federal Credit Union Arena)
Sunday Women’s Volleyball vs. Hartford 1 p.m. (Pritchard Gymnasium)
HEATHER KHALIFA/ THE STATESMAN
Senior defensive lineman Victor Ochi (No. 91, above) tied David Bamiro's school record for career sacks with 29. Ochi is tied for fourth in the FCS with 9.5 sacks in the 2015 season. so he threw me on offensive line,” Ochi said. “And then one practice I was just pissed off that I moved to [offensive] line. So then I was the scout defensive lineman so they moved me to defensive line where I started wrecking everything in practice. So from there on I haven’t moved back since.” Ochi played well enough during his first two years on the football field to earn scholarship offers as a senior. Ochi caught the eye of Priore at a college showcase camp held at Rutgers. “He was a very good athlete, just really learning the game,” Priore said
of the first time he saw Ochi play. “I thought if he became a student of the game and hit the weight room, he had potential to be a good player.” Priore thought right. Just three years after playing his first organized football game, Ochi earned a full-ride scholarship to Stony Brook. The coaching staff redshirted him his first year, but Ochi got his first taste of action in the 2012 season, playing in all 13 games and starting five. That year, the Seawolves won the Big South Conference and made it to the FCS Playoffs, where they won their first round game at home
against Villanova, the team’s second-ever postseason win. Former Stony Brook running back Miguel Maysonet ran for 165 yards and both of Stony Brook’s touchdowns in arguably the program’s biggest victory. Ochi said that night was his most memorable as a Seawolf. “Winning the Big South, seeing Villanova come here and seeing Maysonet take over the game was one of the best moments I’ve had in the school,” Ochi said. The Seawolves have not made the playoffs since, but Ochi’s career has taken off nonetheless. He has re-
By David Vertsberger
ant thing.”
Elon last week, Stony Brook was 4-for-7 on fourth downs and the week before went 1-1 against Towson. On the season, the Seawolves are converting on 67.9 percent of their 4th downs. These big plays are crucial for a Stony Brook team that struggles to get down the field on a consistent basis.
corded 20.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in his last 19 games dating back to the start of his junior year. Ochi credits a tireless work ethic for his success. “There’s never been one person I met from high school until now that I can say has outworked me,” Ochi said. “I just work every night and mornings. When people are sleeping, I’m out there working.” David Bamiro, who shares the Seawolves’ sacks record with Ochi, signed a contract and spent time in training camp with the Minnesota Vikings in 2005 after playing at Stony Brook from 2001-2004. Priore said that Ochi could find himself in a similar situation after leaving Stony Brook. “He’s on their radar,” Priore said of NFL teams. “We’ll see what happens.” A stint in professional football would be a dream come true for Ochi, the same kid who did not play his first game until midway through high school. “I have my goals to go next level,” Ochi said. “It’s been my goal since I was 15. That’d be great.” While Ochi has had his fair share of success, Priore noted after the Seawolves ended their five-game losing streak that that may not be what is most impressive of all. “You know obviously he’s accomplished great things on the field,” Priore said, before noting how instead of showing disappointment on the practice field, he has done the opposite, working as hard as ever. “I think that takes a lot of character and I’m happy for him.”
4th and Goal: Stony Brook ends its five-game losing streak Assistant Sports Editor
Every week, our Sports staff will take a deeper look at Stony Brook’s football games and what the team did well and where it went wrong. First down: Defensive line smothers Stony Brook’s pass rush suffocated Howard on Saturday, recording 12 sacks, the most of any NCAA Division I team this season. Leading the effort were sophomore defensive lineman Ousmane Camara and senior defensive lineman Victor Ochi, with three apiece. Ochi now has 29 sacks over his career, tying a Seawolves all-time record. “He’s got an NFL career ahead of him potentially and he could have said, ‘you know what I want to stay healthy, I don’t want to practice,’” Stony Brook head coach Chuck Priore said after the game. “He’s been exactly the opposite, and same thing on the field. I think that takes a lot of character, I’m happy for him.” The entire defense’s effort led to Howard finishing with just -42 net rushing yards on the contest, to Priore’s slight surprise. “Honestly we thought the best part of their team was their offensive line,” Priore said. “I’m just really happy for Stony Brook in general and then the kids. A long five weeks, but for the kids it’s awesome. They can enjoy it now and that’s the most import-
Second down: Donald Liotine steps up amid injuries With junior running back Stacey Bedell and freshman backup Isaiah White both out with injuries, Priore had to entrust sophomore Donald Liotine and junior Tyler Fredericks with his running game. However, Fredericks suffered a pre-game injury that put the weight on Liotine. With just 59 carries on the season coming into Saturday, Liotine rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 38 attempts. All three categories were career-highs for Liotine, who did not play last season. In the game’s closing minutes, Liotine broke free on thirdand-7 in Stony Brook territory for a 45-yard carry to secure the win. “We just kind of went with the game plan of putting it up the middle and running hard,” Liotine said of how Stony Brook planned to run the ball right at the heart of Howard’s defense. “It was my gameplan, [it] worked out.” Third down: Seawolves continue converting on fourth down With only six attempted field goals all season, Stony Brook has become comfortable going for it on fourth down. Its successes in recent games reflect the season at large. The Seawolves converted on two of three 4th down attempts against Howard, one of which resulted in a touchdown. Against
Fourth down: Bednarski returns to spark offense Senior quarterback Conor Bednarski sat in favor of Carbone against Elon last week and was on the bench to begin Saturday’s game, but not for long. Carbone threw a first-quarter interception against Howard, his fifth in two games. On the ensuing drive it was Bednarski taking the snaps, and he jumpstarted Stony Brook’s offense.
“I didn’t want Joe to go back on the field after that interception and have that in his mind,” Priore said. “Conor went out there and executed.” Bednarski finished with 95 yards in the air, completing seven of 14 passes and six of his last nine throws in three quarters of action. Bednarski’s completions made up six of Stony Brook’s 17 first downs. His play also helped open up Liotine’s rushing attack. Extra point: Moving forward Stony Brook Football will try to close out its season on a positive note with only two games to go for the season. The Seawolves play conference foe Rhode Island on the road on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12:30 p.m. before returning home to face Albany in the year’s final game.
CHRISTOPHER CAMERON / THE STATESMAN
Junior defensive lineman Aaron Thompson (No. 95, above) had two of Stony Brook's 12 sacks against Howard.
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Sports
Men's Soccer season ends in conference playoffs SBU Football back in the win column, takes down Howard By Andrew Eichenholz Sports Editor
CHRISTOPHER CAMERON / THE STATESMAN
The Stony Brook Men's Soccer team lost in its America East quarterfinal match against Binghamton on Saturday night at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, 3-2, in double overtime. By Skyler Gilbert Staff Writer
With 18 minutes remaining in the America East quarterfinals, Stony Brook senior midfielder Alejandro Fritz booted a long cross from the right side o f the field. The ball sailed untouched into the far end of the goal, giving the Seawolves a late 2-0 lead on Saturday night. The Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium crowd erupted into cheers, as it seemed like the insurance goal that the Stony Brook Men’s Soccer team had scored would be enough to send the Seawolves to the semifinals. It was not meant to be. Binghamton roared back with two late goals to force overtime. Then, with five minutes remaining in the second overtime period, graduate forward Pascal Trappe stepped into a loose ball near the penalty spot and buried a golden goal into the top-right corner of the net, ending Stony Brook’s season. The Bearcats won the match 3-2 and lived to play another day. “It was a really tough result,” head coach Ryan Anatol said after the loss. “I didn’t really have anything to make them feel better about the result, but I was proud of the performance by our team tonight.” Early on in the match, it seemed as if fate could have been in Stony Brook’s favor. In the ninth minute, Binghamton sophomore forward Ben Ovetsky capitalized on a mis-
cue from Stony Brook freshman midfielder Martieon Watson and found himself in the open field, one-on-one with junior goalkeeper Jason Orban. The Seawolves caught a break when Ovetsky missed the breakaway shot wide of the goal. 10 minutes later, Stony Brook made the visitors pay with an opportunity of its own on the other end of the field. A loose volley bounced to Watson, who launched a 20-yard shot with his right foot into the back of the net past Binghamton junior Robert Moewes, the America East Goalkeeper of the Year, to give Stony Brook a 1-0 lead. After Fritz gave the Seawolves a 2-0 lead off of an assist by Danny Espinoza, Stony Brook had all the momentum with just minutes separating the team from the conference’s final four. Despite the two-goal advantage, Stony Brook continued to use an aggressive playstyle. Anatol cited a pair of early-season blown leads in which his team sagged on defense and it cost the team. These losses prompted Anatol to try a different late-game philosophy on Saturday. “We tried to continue to do the things that we were doing,” Anatol said. “We talked about it throughout the season. We were trying to stay up the field, not getting too deep [in our own zone], continuing to attack.” Binghamton responded to Stony Brook’s play with some counter-at-
CHRISTOPHER CAMERON / THE STATESMAN
Senior midfielder Alejandro Fritz (No. 10, above) scored Stony Brook's second goal of the night in the 72nd minute.
tacks. In the 77th minute, Bearcats junior forward Alex Varkatzas tried a shot from the left flank. Although the initial attempt was blocked, junior defender Zach Galluzzo slid into the rebound to trim the Seawolves’ lead to one. “When they scored the first goal, I thought it was a soft one on our end,” Anatol said. “I thought we could have defended the restart a bit better. That goal made a game of it.” After Binghamton got on the scoresheet, the game intensified. Within five minutes after the goal, a combined five fouls were committed, as the players looked to take control of the ball by any means at every chance. With three minutes left in regulation, Binghamton equalized the match. After receiving an errant ball on a broken play, Varkatzas crossed the ball to freshman forward Nikos Psarras, who tapped in his first career goal to make the score 2-2. Stony Brook nearly won the match with less than a minute remaining in regulation. With the ball in a skirmish in front of Moewes’ net, the goalkeeper stepped out and misplayed a ball. Senior forward Martin Giordano turned and blasted the ball toward the vacated net, but the kick ricocheted off the head of a Binghamton defender and flew over the goal. “After two soft goals, to not point fingers, to not hang their heads, to not place blame, we created some really good chances,” Anatol said. “That ball that was saved off the line? That’s soccer. The kid who stopped that ball won the game for them tonight.” After much back-and-forth action in the first overtime, the Bearcats delivered the heartbreak with five minutes to go in the second overtime. Trappe shot a ball that deflected off the left arm of Orban and went into the goal to punctuate the Binghamton comeback. “It’s a fine line in soccer between winning and losing games,” Anatol said. “We were very close to achieving our goals, but ultimately the bounces didn’t go in our favor.”
Stony Brook Football head coach Chuck Priore said that it has been a long five weeks for the Seawolves. The team lost five games in a row after an encouraging 2-0 start. But when junior defensive lineman Aaron Thompson spoke to the team after practice and team meetings on Friday, everyone listened. “We haven’t been as physical as we usually are. We’ve got to get our mojo back,” senior defensive lineman Victor Ochi said Thompson told the squad. “We took that to heart and then we came out and performed well. I love the way our team responded to that.” They responded alright, as Stony Brook’s 12 sacks on the day was the most of any NCAA Division I team this season, leading the way in a 14-9 victory over Howard at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Saturday. Priore said that heading into the contest against the 1-7 Bison, the Seawolves thought their opponent’s biggest strength was their offensive line. Yet Ochi, who recorded three sacks to tie Stony Brook’s career record for sacks with 29, and the rest of the line put pressure on sophomore quarterback Kalen Johnson whenever they pleased. “Nobody was trying to be selfish or anything,” Ochi said. “We all just followed our assignments and executed fast.” Despite dominating the Bison and keeping them to 109 total yards, the tide turned in the fourth quarter. The Bison gained more than 10 yards on only two of their first 11 drives. However, on their 12th drive of the game, a 25-yard completion on third down and 20 got Johnson’s team right back in it, as he found freshman wide receiver Guy Lemonier for an 18-yard touchdown just five plays later. It was a one possession game, and a third down and seven was all that kept Howard from getting the ball back for a shot at taking the lead. That was when sophomore running back Donald Liotine carried the ball 45 yards, deep into Howard territory, virtually ending the game. “Obviously we were shorthanded at tailback going into the game and Tyler Fredericks got hurt in pregame so we had two healthy tailbacks,” Priore said. “We needed our backs and our line to step to the plate and Donnie [Liotine] ran the ball. We had a
lot of stars up there up front.” After running the ball a total of 59 times in the first seven games of the season, Liotine rushed it 38 times for 204 yards and both of Stony Brook’s touchdowns. “He’s a walk-on,” Priore pointed out, saying that Liotine is not on a scholarship. “He’s worked his tail off.” But it was Liotine who shouldered the load, taking 90 percent of the carries out of the backfield for Stony Brook. It was a role that he may not have been used to, but took in stride just the same. “When they call my name I’ve got to be ready to answer,” Liotine said. “Fatigue doesn’t really take in until right now, after the game when my back hurts and all that but during the game all I’m thinking about is producing and being there.” Senior quarterback Conor Bednarski also got his name called. After redshirt freshman quarterback Joe Carbone threw an early interception, the senior played the rest of the game and threw for 95 yards without turning the ball over once. “The offensive coordinator and I had talked on Friday and Conor had a really good week, and we talked about playing Conor at some point during the game,” Priore said. “It was good to have the senior leadership on the field.” But where some of the team’s leaders were not able to be on the field—sophomore defensive back Tyrice Beverette, senior linebacker Trokon-Rahim Cassell II and senior offensive lineman Jerry Hubshman were all out with injuries—younger players stepped in. Redshirt freshmen linebackers Shayne Lawless and Noah McGinty did their jobs, totaling 7.5 tackles in the game. On the offensive side, walk-on junior offensive lineman Mike White filled in for Hubshman. White had only played in two games in his college career. “They have high energy, they’re young kids and they’re so excited about playing football,” Priore said. “They bring that energy to the field to those older guys.” Despite the recent struggles, Ochi put it best as far as how the team had to bounce back. “We can’t just walk around and let people walk all over us,” Ochi said. “We still got to come back strong every week and eventually we got the win.
CHRISTOPHER CAMERON / THE STATESMAN
Sophomore walk-on running back Donald Liotine (No. 33, above) rushed 38 times for 204 yards against Howard.